Rain actuated closure device



Oct. 15, 1957 G. M. GRAHAM RAIN ACTUATED CLOSURE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2. 1954 INVENTOR. GEORGE M. GRAHAM,

MQL

H T ToR/vEY' Oct. 15, 1957 G. M. GRAHAM I RAIN ACTUATED CLOSURE DEVICE Filed April 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE M. GRAHAM. Pic-3.5. Fig.4.

HTmRNEX Unite States This invention relates to closure devices and has particular reference to a closure device that is automatically actuated to a fully closed position in the presence of rain.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a louvered closure device, wherein a plurality of horizontally pivoted and overlappingpanels are supported within a rigid frame, and with at least one of the panels provided with a water collecting trough wherein the panel is caused'to shift upon its pivots to actuate a weighted closure device that simultaneously shifts. the entire group of panels to the closed position. i

The invention contemplates novel structural details for the mounting pivotal support of the several panels whereby the panels may be quickly and easily assembled with respect to a frame device, and whereby such assembly greatly facilitates the installation of the closure.

Other novel features of construction and operation will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred form of the invention and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings: a

Figure l is an inner side elevation of a closure device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspectiveview of one water collecting and over-balancing panel, v

Figure 3 is'a vertical section taken substantially on line 3 3 ofFigure l, i

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure l, v t

Figur'eS is -a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of'Figure 3, j

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 4 and,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one end' of a closure panel and its associated pivotal and operating. coupling.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a sidejamb member, and 6 designates an 'opposite' sidejamb member and'with the jamb members being spaced apartand perpendicular. The jamb members 5 and -6 are rigidly connected at their upper ends by a header 7 and at their lower ends by a sill 8. The header 7 is of channel formation and includes an inwardly directed flange 9 that has abutting engagement with an upperclosure panel to be presently'described. The sill 8 is likewise of channel formation, open at its top and partially closed by -an inwardly directed web 10. The web 10, terminating in an upwardly disposed and preferably curved abutment 11, to form a seat for a lowermost panel 2t! has been formed relatively wider ateiit 2,809,826 Patented Oct. 15, 1957 nel 15. The channel 15 extends for substantially the full height of the jamb 5 and has been dimensioned to have a relatively snug sliding fit within the channel 14. A plurality of adjusting screws 16 arranged throughout the height of the jamb serve to adjustably move the channel 15 outwardly at assembly of the panels, to be described. The channel 15 is apertured cylindrically at 17, at equidistantly spaced points throughout its height for the rotative reception of cylindrical studs 18 formed upon generally U-shaped clips 19 that engage an end of the panel members 20. The terminal ends of the studs 18 have been tapered as at 21 for a purpose to be presently described.

The jamb 6, as clearly shown in Figure 6, is U-shaped in cross-section, having a closed forward wall 22, an inner wall 23 and an outer wall 24, all formed integral and of any desirable material, such as aluminum or the like. The'wall 23 has been apertured cylindrically at spaced apart points, as at 25, and the spacing of the apertures 25 are identical in height and in spacing of the apertures 17. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the apertures 25 have been extended upwardly and outwardly to the wall 22, forming assembly slots 26, for a purpose to be presently described. The wall 24 is provided with in wardly directed and horizontally disposed studs 27, that are rigidly connected with the wall 24, as by riveting. The studs 27 form a pivotal support for actuating couplings 28, see particularly Figures 6 and 7. The couplings' 28 are cylindrical in shape and are cylindrically apertured axially thereof for their major length, as at 29, for rotative engagement upon the studs 27. The outer end of the coupling 28 is provided with a non-cylindrical recess 30 for the-reception of a non-cylindrical stud 31, carried by a U-shaped clip 32 that is fixedly engaged with the opposite end of each panel 20. The engagement of the stud 31 within the recess 30, couples the panel 20 with respect to the coupling 28. Each coupling 28 is provided with a preferably integral crank arm 33, that is apertured adjacent its free end for pivotal connection than the upper panels 20 and, in the fully open position, extends outwardly beyond the panels 20 as a means to readily collect water that strikes thereupon during a rain, andin the. fully open position all of the panels are inclined in order that any water striking thereupon will drain inwardly to be collected within the trough 35 that extends for the major length of the panel 20 along its inner edge. It will be observed that the trough 35 also underlies the inner edges of the panels 28 and in a position to collect any water that may drain from the upper panels. The trough 35, when the device is in the closed position, engages the seat 11,to successfully excludeforeign matter. As shown by the arrows in Figure 3, all of the panels 20 pivot in a clockwise direction for a closing and overlapping engagement, While the panel 20 pivots in an anti-clockwise direction to discharge the accumulated water within the trough 35 into the open sill member 8, where it will be drained outwardly through the openings 13. I

In the particular embodiment of this invention, it is desired that the device be automatically closed in the presence of rain and, to successfully permit such operation in a simple and economical manner, the device has been designed'for an over-balanced actuation wherein the water collecting within the trough 35 is capable of so overbalancing the mechanism as to cause the several panels to be quickly and effectively closed; To this end there has been provided a rock shaft 36, that is horizontallydisposed and is journalled in a fixed bearing 37, supported in any desirable manner upon an inner flange 38 of the wall 23. The shaft 36 at one end is bent at a right angle and extended upwardly to form an arm for the support of a weighted head 39. The shaft 36 a its opposite extremity is bent downwardly at a right angle and is inclined inwardly at an angle with respect to the arm and with it's terminal 'end bent 'outwaidly at a right angle to form a cian ann 40. T he crank arm 40 has a crank 41 that is pivotally connected with li'riks 42 "aid 43. The link 42 ha s pivotal connection with the lowei" 'end of the operating bar 34, while the link 43 at its opposite ena s pivotally connected to a craiik arm 33 carried by the lowermost coupling 25%. Itwill be observed that all of the cranks 33 for the upper gfr'oupof couplings 28 are parallel with the panels 20, while the crank a mrss is at a right angl to the panel Thus, when the bfieratihg b'ar s41 sin ea upwardly tine-er the influence of the liiik 42', iii a manner to b'e'p'reseht'ly described, the link 43 will be shifted forwardly to rock the crank 33 upwardly and rotate the panel 20* in a couhter clockwise direction. Since the apertures form abea'ring for the recessed ends of the coupling 28', and since the apertures are at the end or the slots 26, means have been provided to ire ven't la'ter al "shifting of the c'ohplihgs 28 with respect to the slots 26, such means includes a -fiat strip '44 that is fixedly positioned upon the inner ofjthe wall 23, to fully overlie that portion of the slots 26 that exfendoutjw'ardly beyond the couplihgs 28. The strip 44 is secured in any desired mannerby screws 45. t p

In the assembly of the device, the op'eratoi' firs't backs out the screws 16 to-permit 'a manual shifting of thecha'm nel 1'5 "inwardly of the channel 14,"i t being assumed previous -to assembly that the clips 19 and 32 have been fixedly engaged with 'the opposite ends of each panel. The several couplings 28 are assembled by first removing the strip 44 after which the operator may feed the asuplings and their crank arms 33 through the'slot's 26 to en'- gage the cylindrical aperthre 29 over the studs 27. After all'of the couplings '28 have been 'e 'gaged with their respective studs 27, the strip 44 'is replaced and the several couplings manually rotated to bring their "several "cranks 33 forwardly into a=position where they may be simultaneously, pivotally connected injany desired manner "to the operaing bar '34.. The links 42 and 43 are then pivotalIy connected with the operating bar 34 and the crank 33 respectively, after which the crank 41 is engaged'through the aligned openings of the links 42 and 43 and thes'haft and its bearing ;36 and 37 rigidly connected with its respective flange 38. Any desirable pivotal means between the crank arms 33'and the operating 34=may b'eemployed, suchas shouldered screws or the like. Since as before pointed out, the several panels are quickly and easily mounted within theirjrespective bearings and the channel 15 has been shifted inwardly, ,such assembly permitting firstthe insertion of a stud '18 tojits full engagement within theopening 17, after which the-panel and its "opposit'e clip 32:1'Il8Y 'be swung into alignment with the conpling 2 8 and the panel then shifted axially to engage the stud31 withintherecess 30, and in this positionthe bevelled. end ZIwillhave a supporting engagement within the opening 17 topreventthepanel from dropping downwardly. After allot the :panels have been thusly assembled, the operator, thn adjusts the several screws 16, forcing thechaniiel '1 5 outwardly to a point where the opening 17 forms a bearing for the cylindrical portion of the stud T8, and this o' ut w ard movement of the channel 15 is just sufiicient to provide an adequate rotative clearanoe between the'clips 19 aiidtlie face of the channel 1 5 The shaft having been securely positioned, the 7 weight 39 is their attached to the upper end of the vertical extension-36 and the"extension 36 is then shifted toward them 'where it as'sui nes fan angularity -slightly-past a vertical center'liiie from'the'shaft 36, and in siich position the eyeralgpaneis have been's'hifted to their fully opened p'o's n, as shown in Figure 3, The device may be t in its open (or closed position against automatic operation by a set screw '46that engage's'a'tlir e'aded open- 4 iiig formed in the bearing 37 to have binding engagement with the shaft 36.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming that the device is in the fully closed position and with the extension 36 and its weight 39 lying in the dotted line position of Figure 4, the operator manually shifts the extension 36 and the weight 39 upwardly and forwardly toward the closure device to its full line position as shown in Figure 4. This action has rocked the crank and its crank arm 40 and '41 downwardly, pulling upon the link 42 and shifting the operating bar 34 downwardly to simultaneously rotate all "of the couplings 28 and 23 through the medium of their cranks 33 and 33. At the same time the link 43 has shifted the crank arm 33 downwardly causing the panel 20 to rotate in a clockwise direction, while all of the panels 20 have rotated in an anticlockwise direction. The set screw 46 has been released to permit of free actuation of the shaft 36. If the device is to be fixed in the open position or the closed position, the screw 46 will obviously be turned to binding engagement with the shaft 36. However, for the fully automatic position, the screw 46 is released and theparts have assumed their position, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. Now, should a'condi'tioh 'p'revail where water strikes the outer side of the closure device and which would normally pass between the several panels to create a possible water damage inside the building, such water striking thepan'el's 20 and 20 will, due 'to the angulai'ity of the panels, drain inwardly to be collected within the trough 35. Any water striking anyfof the upper panels 20 will obviously drain inwardly and drop downwardly to the uhderl'yin'g trough 35. Immediately after the trough has become filled with water, the panel 20 becomes overiba'lanced and the additional weight of the water urges the panel to shying in an anti-clockwise direction. Such over-balanced condition will be imparted through the crank arm 33*, through the link 43 and to the crank 41 ai1d a slight shifting of the panel 2t) will cause the extens-ion 36 {aiid its supported weight 39 to "rock inwardly to an opposite over-balanced position where, due to its additional weight, 'the'ext'en'sion 36 will rock downwardly, and this additional weight, coupled with the weight of the water in the trough 35, will force the link'42'and its associa'tedoperator bar-34 upwardly, rocking all 'the panels 20 i in a clockwise direction to a fully closed and overlapping position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The length of the extension 36 and t-heweight o'f the head 39 will be'dete'rmin'ed in actual practice as being capable of shifting the links 42 and 43 and the bar 34 -'for 'a fuIl closing of the several panels.

It will be observed with the linkages '42-a'i1d "43 and the crank 'a'rm 33 that the movement of the panel 20 must swing in an arc that provides a clearance for the next adjacent panel 20, since theipanel 20 and the adjacent panel 20 are obviously rotating in opposite directions.

"It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel automatic closure device has beensprovided. 'The parts are few and 's'irnpIe, are-easily assembled or disassembled and may be installed by 'the average home owner with a'minimum of eflFort. The'device provides a closure of the multiple panel type that is constructed in amanner that permits-of-a'quick and easy closing under abnormal weather conditions and especially in thepresence of rain water or water from other sources, such 'as lawn sprinklers. The over-balancing'structureobviously might be operativein the presence of relatively high wind. However, this closing would'also be desirable. The device-may be'antomatically arranged 'or the several panels maybe manually adjusted as to angularity-by the extension 36 and fixed in any degree ofopening by the screw 46. All of theapart-s-are economically formed and the several bearings for ;thestugls 18 and the'couplings -28 area: such nature that little, if any, corrosion would be possible to a degree that would affect the free and simultaneous movement of the panels. v V

It is to be understood that tha -invention is not-limited encased to the precise arrangement shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of theinvention as determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

' H-aving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

'1. A water actuated closure device of the character wherein a plurality of horizontally pivoted and overlapping closure panels are supported within a rigid frame to be simultaneously swung to closed and overlapping position, wherein a lowermost closure panel is provided along its inner marginal edge with a water-collecting trough, the trough carrying panel being dimensioned to receive and collect water that strikes upon and drips from the upper panels, the trough being dimensioned whereby when filled with water to over-balance and swing the panel in a closing direction, weighted means supported upon the frame and which has a link connection with the trough carrying panel, the said weighted means being shifted to an overbalancing position under the influence of the swinging movement of the trough carrying panel and, connecting means between the weighted means and the upper panels whereby the panels are. simultaneously moved to a closed and overlapping position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the weighted means is disposed in an over-balanced position in one direction to maintain all of the panels in fully open and slightly inclined position, and wherein the trough carrying panel initially shifts the weighted means to an opposite overbalanced position when the trough has been filled with water, the weighted means after its initial shifting by the panel operating through its associated linkage to shift all of the upper panels in a clockwise closing movement and to shift the trough carrying panel in an anticlockwise closing movement whereby all of the panels will be disposed in a fully closed and overlapping relation.

3. In a closure device that is automatically moved to a full closure position when subjected to water, a rigid open frame that is spanned by a plurality of spaced apart and horizontally pivoted panels that have their opposite ends journalled in the frame, all of the panels when in a maximum open position being identically inclined, cranks at one end of each panel, a lowermost panel being provided with a water-collecting trough along one marginal edge for its major length, the last named panel having a transverse width that extends beyond the upper panels whereby the lower panel will lie in the path of water dripping from the upper panels to be collected in the trough, the cranks of the upper panels being connected by a common operating bar, a weighted closure device that has a crank, a link connecting the last named crank with the operating bar and a link connecting the last named crank and the crank of the lower panel, the weighted closure device being swingable in a vertical plane to an upper past center position, the said weighted device when in the upper past center position actuating the links to maintain the several panels in their open position and to dispose the trough in underlying relation to, the adjacent marginal edge of the upper panels, the said lowermost panel being overbalanced when its trough has been filled with water to rotate the said panel toward a closure position, the said lowermost panel when rotated actuating its connected crank and associated link to shift the crank of the weighted device to move the weighted device to an opposite overbalanced position, the said weighted device when moved to the opposite overbalanced position causing all of the panels to move to a closed overlapping relation through the medium of the links and the operator bar, the said weighted device when in the last named overbalanced position maintaining the several panels closed.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the rigid frame includes spaced apart side jambs that are connected by a header and a sill, one of the jambs being adjustable and apertured for the journal support of one end of each panel, the other jamb pivotally supporting coupling members for the opposite ends of each panel, a crank arm carried by each coupling member through the medium of which the several panels are rotated, a hearing supported upon the last named jamb, the weighted device including a rock-shaft that is joumalled in the bearing and with the crank of the weighted device extending into the jamb and a set screw threaded into the bearing and which serves to bind the rock-shaft against movement when in the set position. I

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the frame includes a sill member that is channelled and open upon its .top, for substantially its full length, the sill member being provided with an upstanding abutment that has contacting and weathering engagement with the trough of the lower panel when in the fully closed position.

6. A closure device of the character described that comprises an open rigid frame having parallel side jambs, a header and a sill, a plurality of horizontally pivoted and overlapping closure panels that span the frame to be supported in their pivotal movement in the jambs, each of the closure panels being supported at their ends by end clips, at least one of the panels being provided along one marginal edge with a water collecting trough whereby the panel will be overbalanced in a closing direction when the trough has been filled with water, a weighted device that is pivotally mounted upon one jamb member and shiftable to opposite overbalanced relation to its pivotal point whereby the weighted device when in one overbalanced position maintaining the panels in an open position, link means between the weighted device and the pivotal means for the trough carrying panel and link means between the weighted device and a common operator bar connected with all the other panels, the weighted device being shiftable to an opposite overbalanced position under the influence of theoverbalanced movement of the trough carrying panel when the trough has been filled with water whereby all of the panels are simultaneously shifted to a closed and overlapping position, end clips for each of the panels, trunnion studs carried by all of the clips at one end of the panels for rotative support within openings formed in an adjacent jamb, coupling members pivotally supported within the opposite jamb and with each of the couplings provided with crank arms, each of the couplings provided with a noncylindrical recess in one end and with all of the adjacent end clips of the panels having a non-cylindrical stud to engage within the recesses.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein one jamb embodies an inwardly opening channel for substantially the full height of the opening and a companion telescoping channel that is movable into and out of the first named channel, the openings of the second named channel being equidistantly spaced throughout the major height of the channel for the rotatable support of the trunnion studs and wherein the trunnion studs have their free ends bevelled, the opposite jamb provided with a plurality of equidistantly spaced openings that correspond in number and spacing to the cylindrical openings of the other jamb, the opposite jamb being slotted from each of its openings diagonally upward for the passage and assembly of the couplings, the opposite jamb upon its inner side being provided with a cover strip that overlies the major portion of the slots, the last named jamb having fixed studs for the pivotal support of each coupling.

8. A water actuated closure device that comprises a rigid frame having a header, a sill and parallel side jambs, a plurality of horizontally pivoted closure panels arranged within the frame to simultaneously swing from an open to a fully closed and overlapping position when subjected to water, coupling members for each panel that are journalled in one jamb and which constitutes the pivotal means for one end of each panel, crank arms carried by each coupling member, all of the crank arms abovethe crank arm of the lowermost panel being connected by a common operator bar whereby the upper panels are sinmh I taneously pivoted to and from an overlapping closure, the pahel Being flividl alb'ng bihe in'aljgiilal edge with a projectin water ebl-le'ct'ing trough en'dwith the trough b-ein' disposed to men water ch-ipping Tromithe uppeipanels, a Weigh-ted e1o's'u'reoperating device that is pivo tflly jeumah-ea upon o e off the jfiih' hs to swing in a ver'tiea-l plane the weighted closure 'dew'ee carr ing a ciimk "aim, links eonnected to the erank "aim and to the aperztei bar and the crank arfn of the l w ermost panel, the said weighted elosnr'e devioe hei g 'shittbie to an upper past center position whereby to move the several iizahels to an open =p0ifion threngh the medium of the links, the said lowermost p nel when its ire-ugh has been fined with water act-hatin the links to eauset'he weigh-ted closuye device to be shifted to an opposite .past center position, the said weighted closure device when shifted to an opposite :pa'st center position falling dovvnwardry of its "own weight to simultaneously close all of the panels thnough the medium of the link connections, the said weighted r'losnre device when in the 'cldsure po's'ition b'ei'ng inactivated to maintain the several panels in their closed 2,527,989 "fuller Oct. '31, 1.950

Stowers Nov. 30, 1926' 

